EVALUATION OF TOMATO BREEDING LINES RESISTANT TO BACTERIAL CANKER

Breeding tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) for resistance to bacterial canker [Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis], initiated in 1984, has resulted in the development of six F8 breeding lines showing transgressive segregation for resistance. The lines were evaluated fo r response to both root dip and leaf clip inoculation. The breeding li nes were significantly more resistant to the pathogen, regardless of i noculation method, than the moderately resistant parents. These lines provide a useful level of resistance to bacterial canker in large-frui ted, high-yielding, determinate tomato.